Mechanics of fiber networks and fibrous biological systems
Co-Chairs:
Catalin Picu, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Debashish Das, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ioannis Chasiotis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Summary:
Networks of interconnected fibers/filaments are omnipresent in biological and bioengineered systems, such as connective tissues, extracellular matrix, spider webs, scaffolds for tissue growth and regeneration, as well as filtration systems, paper, etc. The non-affine deformation of a nanofiber network and fibrous biological systems depends on several factors such as the structure, bonded and non-bonded interactions, mechanical behavior and reorientation and accretion of the building blocks. Experiments and computational modeling have shed light into the stability and mechanical response of fiber networks and fibrous biological systems, however, many of the underlying structure-property relations in such systems remain elusive preventing the effective design of this class of non-continuum materials. This symposium solicits contributions in all areas related to multiscale physics, experimental investigations, and computational modeling of the deformation mechanisms in nanofiber networks and fibrous material systems. Possible topics include but are not limited to: (a) constitutive modeling and experimental techniques for measurements of friction and van der Waals adhesion at the nano/micro length scales, (b) theoretical, computational or experimental analysis of evolution of macro-scale deformation behavior in fiber networks, (c) Numerical modeling and experimental analysis of mechanical response of biological systems, such as soft tissues, collagen networks, tendon-to-bone interfaces, etc. during growth and remodeling, or under external stress/strain, (d) macroscale damage accumulation and failure of fibrous systems and their rate dependence, etc.